With The 20th Pick In The 2011 Stampede Blue Community Mock Draft, The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Select...

Aldon Smith - DE, Missouri

Pick made by Benjamin Savage:

In all likelihood, Aldon Smith won't fall this far. In a DE heavy class, he is clearly one of the better options for teams looking to revive an anaemic pass rush, whether it be in the 4-3 DE spot or as a 3-4 OLB. The Buccaneers finished tied 30th in the NFL with 26.0 sacks in 2010 so it could be said that this is a match made in heaven, given that he is one of the more talented pure pass rushers in the entire draft. Smith has shown himself to have the required speed and the potential to bulk up his 6'4, 265 lb frame in order to make the transition to rushing the passer at the NFL level in order to fit the 4-3 defense that the Buccaneers currently play.

Expecting outrageous production from Smith in his first year of action would be perhaps unwise, with a gradual assimilation into the defense the smarter move to make, but with Smith, Gerald McCoy and Brian Price all high picks on the defensive line within a year, the Buccaneers could have a formidable defensive line for years to come.

Other options here could include Brandon Harris, CB, Miami due to off the field issues with their star corner, Aqib Talib. Also on the board is the intriguing OT prospect Tyron Smith from USC, but I simply cannot look past the defensive end position as the primary obstacle preventing this team going to the next level.

If Smith is taken 20th overall, it'll be the third time in the last five years the Buccaneers have taken a DL in the first round (Gerald McCoy, Gaines Adams). Also, it'll be the first time since 2001 a DE from Missouri was taken in the first round, when Justin Smith was taken 4th overall by the Bengals.

Aldon Smith Scouting Report from Mocking the Draft

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